There have been suggestions tossed around lately to potentially add relief to the growing conundrum of overcrowding in the parks. Two recent discussions have proposed eliminating standby lines as a solution, and refusing admission to a portion of daily park visitors as ways to better benefit those of us who deserve a quality vacation.
Reading these proposals and discussions led me to take it a step further, and go after the true underlying source of the problems at hand. Please hear me out before judging what I have to say. It may sound crazy on the surface, but once you really stop and think how this could work, you'll realize it goes far deeper than that.
Let's look at the problem at it's core: Overcrowding at the parks, making the experience more stressful and less enjoyable for many. Yet we spend so much time attacking the problem as simply overcrowding, but never examining why it occurs to begin with.
After talking to many park guests while on property, or via the internet, or postcard mailers sent at random... I have come to the conclusion that it's the rides, attractions, and entertainment offerings which are the source of the overcrowding problems we're currently facing. Those are what keep drawing more and more people through the gates each day, creating new visitors, repeat visitors, you name it.
It is for this very reason I propose the elimination of all rides, shows, shopping, dining, and any form of entertainment from park grounds (restrooms can stay, 'cause, come on, the alternative would just be unpleasant). Please hear me out before judging this idea. It sounds ridiculous, but I assure you.
If you look at actual data, you can clearly see the correlation between park offerings (rides, attractions, etc.) and guest visits. A study back in 2017 showed that if there was nothing to do while at WDW, many domestic & international travelers alike would either scale back their number of annual visits, or change their vacation plans altogether.
It's lazy to just look at overcrowding as the problem when it is a mere puppet being controlled by a more powerful source. All we're doing by batting around nonsensical ideas such as banning guests for capacity's sake, or chopping the standby line option, is putting a tiny bandage on a much larger wound. The problem is only going to get worse if we keep looking at overcrowding for overcrowding's sake. As Walt himself once said: "You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world, but that only attracts too many people, so it's better to aim low."
Ask yourself this question: Why do YOU go to Disney? What brings you back time & time again? Whatever answer popped into your head is probably the same exact reason for many. If that reason were to be removed from the equation, would you continue to come back? Probably not, and the same for others. If you want to thin the herds, don't give them reason to come into the pasture.
Thoughts?
Reading these proposals and discussions led me to take it a step further, and go after the true underlying source of the problems at hand. Please hear me out before judging what I have to say. It may sound crazy on the surface, but once you really stop and think how this could work, you'll realize it goes far deeper than that.
Let's look at the problem at it's core: Overcrowding at the parks, making the experience more stressful and less enjoyable for many. Yet we spend so much time attacking the problem as simply overcrowding, but never examining why it occurs to begin with.
After talking to many park guests while on property, or via the internet, or postcard mailers sent at random... I have come to the conclusion that it's the rides, attractions, and entertainment offerings which are the source of the overcrowding problems we're currently facing. Those are what keep drawing more and more people through the gates each day, creating new visitors, repeat visitors, you name it.
It is for this very reason I propose the elimination of all rides, shows, shopping, dining, and any form of entertainment from park grounds (restrooms can stay, 'cause, come on, the alternative would just be unpleasant). Please hear me out before judging this idea. It sounds ridiculous, but I assure you.
If you look at actual data, you can clearly see the correlation between park offerings (rides, attractions, etc.) and guest visits. A study back in 2017 showed that if there was nothing to do while at WDW, many domestic & international travelers alike would either scale back their number of annual visits, or change their vacation plans altogether.
It's lazy to just look at overcrowding as the problem when it is a mere puppet being controlled by a more powerful source. All we're doing by batting around nonsensical ideas such as banning guests for capacity's sake, or chopping the standby line option, is putting a tiny bandage on a much larger wound. The problem is only going to get worse if we keep looking at overcrowding for overcrowding's sake. As Walt himself once said: "You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world, but that only attracts too many people, so it's better to aim low."
Ask yourself this question: Why do YOU go to Disney? What brings you back time & time again? Whatever answer popped into your head is probably the same exact reason for many. If that reason were to be removed from the equation, would you continue to come back? Probably not, and the same for others. If you want to thin the herds, don't give them reason to come into the pasture.
Thoughts?